Maritime News Capsule: Houthi attacks, missing Papua ship, Parkwind's green station & more

From resurrection of towboat Miss Peggy to Parkwind unveiling the first-of-its-kind green energy charging station, here's a roundup of recent significant maritime news and updates.

Major search operation ongoing for missing Papua cargo ship

Indonesian rescue teams have been intensifying their search for a cargo ship that disappeared last week in Papua. The vessel, carrying 12 crew members, went missing after leaving Timika for Yahukimo to deliver telecommunication infrastructure. Communication was lost two days into the journey, prompting a search operation.

On July 20, 2024, 150 rescuers and two navy ships were deployed to find the ship. The cause of its disappearance remains unclear as efforts continue to locate the vessel and ensure crew safety.

Green Revolution: First offshore renewable energy charging station installed in Belgian North Sea

Parkwind, in partnership with UK’s MJR Power & Automation, has unveiled the first-of-its-kind offshore green energy charging station at the Nobelwind wind farm in the Belgian North Sea. The system allows maintenance vessels to charge using renewable energy from the wind farm, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and promoting eco-friendly marine transport.

"By utilizing locally-sourced renewable electricity, we are further supporting our mission to generate clean energy while diligently minimizing our environmental footprint," Parkwind noted.

Nobelwind, Parkwind’s third offshore project, features 50 turbines and provides power to nearly 190,000 homes. The new charging station supports Crew Transfer Vessels up to 2MW and Service Operation Vessels up to 8MW, assembled on-site in just two days.

Towboat capsizes in Houston Ship Channel, one dead after collision

On Friday, the 55-foot towboat Miss Peggy capsized and sank in the Houston Ship Channel near the Lynchburg Ferry crossing, resulting in the death of one crewmember. Four survivors were rescued.

The US Coast Guard, Harris County Sheriff’s Department, and Houston Police conducted a 30-hour search and recovery operation, eventually retrieving the deceased. The towboat was lifted and righted over the weekend. Investigations suggest a possible collision with a 63,000 dwt merchant bulker.

Houthi threat is growing, says Yemen's UN Special Envoy

"I remain deeply concerned about the continued targeting of international navigation in the Red Sea and its surrounding waterways," U.N. Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg discussed the issue with the UN Security Council. "Recent developments suggest that the threat against international shipping is increasing in scope and precision."

"Seven months of an escalatory trajectory reached a new and dangerous level last week," he added. This comes after Houthi militants' strike on July 20 on Israel, followed by a retaliatory attack by Israeli forces on Yemen's port of Hudaydah, damaging its oil and power.

The people of Yemen want peace, he emphasized.

(To read the full report, click here.)

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